The sport that drought couldn’t kill: While cactuses sprout and bleached cow skulls appear in spades around Western North Carolina, this year’s lack of rain won’t impede snow-making operations at area resorts. As the region gears up for the press of holiday snow bunnies, resort managers are sounding an optimistic note. More than one, it turns out, have their own spring-fed ponds to supply the water needed for snowmaking, even in this, the driest of years.
The chance of snow? Well, that’s another matter. The region’s long-term forecast calls for above-average temperatures and below-normal precipitation.
Reelin’ em in: The Pigeon Valley Bassmasters holds its monthly meeting next Monday, Dec. 10, at 7 p.m. at the Canton Library. All members and other interested parties are welcome to attend. The club recently did right by the community by donating gifts to 80 orphaned and underprivileged children who live at Broyhill Baptist Children’s Home in Clyde. The gifts will be presented during the home’s annual Christmas party. You reckon there’s a rod and reel or two or tackle box in the haul?
They still prey: Diamond Brand Outdoors will offer a free program entitled “Birds of Prey” next Tuesday, Dec. 11, beginning at 7 p.m. at the company’s Arden location. Local author and teacher Steve Longenecker will present. The program will feature a young peregrine falcon, a broad-winged hawk and a great-horned owl which, due to imprinting or injury, are unable to be returned to the wild. For more information, call Gary Eblen at 684-6262.
